R. H. Townsend & Associates

Results-oriented, proficient, professional investigator/adjuster with over 20 years of experience in field investigation including: adjusting; catastrophic personal injury investigation; 11th hour trial support in civil litigation; sexual harassment; stalking; corporate competitive intelligence and counter measures; open source back channel development, monitoring; and crises communications.

Provides civil litigation support services for corporate clients and attorneys. Astutely recognizes the comprehensive needs of clients and manages cases with minimum client oversight and direction. Creatively thinks outside the box on complex issues and fact finding. Provides full scope of investigative services, specializing in complex litigation trial preparation; product liability, medical malpractice and professional liability investigations; strategic and tactical corporate intelligence and counter measures.

In concert with counsel, successfully developed strategic plan for location and acquisition of stand up fork lift operators’ protective intrusion doors (existence had been vehemently denied by the opposition). Supervised and actively participated in the field and implemented tactics worldwide in search of protective intrusion doors. Once located off-shore, acquired exemplars having same returned to the United States for evidentiary presentation which resulted in a confidential settlement, substantially in excess of 7 figures.

Outlined, planned, organized, directed and implemented a competitive intelligence gathering effort. Creatively acquired through open sources, exemplar products for evidence of agricultural patent infringement, resulting in the withdrawal from the market the competing product which had infringed on the client’s patents.

Privacy Strategy/Consulting:

Mr. Townsend has 20 plus successful years of locating the so-called impossible to locate or obtain access to the well secluded, guarded gate ensconced corporate magnets or very wealthy individuals. He is now offering his Privacy expertise to those individuals that have a desire/need for anonymity to public invisibility-legally while maintaining business and social interest. Tailored confidential deep cover consultancy services available to protect personal or corporate privacy, assets and etc in all areas of your life and business for select discerning, discrete concerned high profile clientele.

Law Offices of Sanford M. Gage, Beverly Hills, CA
(High profile plaintiffs litigation firm specializing in catastrophic personal injury cases)
1987 – 1993

Handled the investigative needs, evidence collection and coordination and supervision of outside resources on complex and major third party tort and class action litigation for ten attorneys as well as 8 paralegals. Coordinated intra office communication regarding investigative matters of an office support staff of 60 plus. Managed case intake, evaluation and factual vetting of the prospective client before the firm’s agreement to be retained. Participated in the selection of staff attorneys and referring attorneys along with the negotiation of fees and cost participation.

Located key pivotal witness at the 11th hour, eight years subsequent to the event, resulting in a "Perry Mason" type civil trial moment and a $6.4 million dollar judgment.

Discovered crucial evidence in deposition of defendant (hit and run driver, a bank president) who left the scene of an accident allegedly due to illness. Uncovered critical facts, via an in-depth investigation (including the location and enlargement of defendant’s signature on bar tabs and credit card slips which were date and time stamped). This effort resulted in settlement on the eve of trial for significant dollars to avoid the specter of punitive damages, public impeachment and perjury charges.

Saved plaintiff, a quadriplegic, the rigors and expense of a long and costly products liability case. Persuaded the prior owner of a crushed ice storage facility to sign a declaration and to agree to testify on behalf of the injured party about prior problems with the machine wherein the manufacturer had been repeatedly notified of the hazard long before this catastrophic injury. The combined settlement of all defendants exceeded $2.5 million dollars.

Located city citations issued against a world famous ice cream manufacturer for disposal of chemicals in the city sewers. Prior to the discovery of this critical information, the manufacturer had continuously denied any responsibility for toxic odor and clouds that permeated its factory and surrounding neighborhood causing serious injury to many. The manufacturer alleged the condition was the result of natural atmospheric phenomenon. Once confronted with these documents, six years post event, the defense melted and an immediate confidential settlement was reached for significantly more than had previously been offered.

Discovered specific acts of bad faith, via a comprehensive investigation, on the part of an insurer that denied coverage for sandstorm damage to third parties of a land developer. The developer was compelled to handle and settle all claims directly with the third parties and ultimately was forced out of business and into bankruptcy. Investigation resulted in a judgment in excess of $30 million dollars which was upheld on appeal.

R.J. Sieber & Company, Claremont, CA
(Independent insurance adjusting and associated third party claims administration)
1985 –1986

Conducted factual investigations, evidence collection and preservation and claimant control. Interfaced with claimants and plaintiffs’ attorneys to negotiate fair and equitable settlements. Handled pre trial preparations with third party administrators.

Investigations for the Defense/Navesco Corporation, Fox Hills, CA
(Early warning and trial preparation for manufacturers in product liability matters)
1979-1984

As sole proprietor, built company from ground up to provide round-the-clock (24 hours per day, seven days per week) automotive product early warning notification and response services. Developed new business leads; managed operations including supervision, delegation and oversight for case review and handling; recruited, hired and trained investigators in accident reconstruction and field investigation, evidence relevance, collection and preservation; interfaced with manufacturers’ counsel on trial preparation for products liability cases.

Built regional business and expanded firm to be national in scope, specializing in automotive and construction equipment products and general liability defense investigation. Instrumental in the redesign and implementation of the first truly national network which became known as "Manufacturers’ Accident Early Warning Notice".

Created manufacturers’ Initial Investigative Response (IIR), a package of pre authorized services for a fixed cost to be provided immediately when an event met certain established criteria to preserve evidence that otherwise might disappear but later be needed.

Developed, sponsored, promoted, marketed and hosted the first West coast two-week course for accident reconstruction certification conducted by the School of Accident Reconstruction, Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois).

Retained by N.E.C.’s counsel to stem gray marketing of their products, then estimated in excess of $20 million dollars annually within the United States. Conducted extensive nationwide field investigation and was instrumental in antitrust gray market trial preparation.

Gilad-Herring Academy of Competitive Intelligence, Inaugural Session, Georgetown University, Alexandria, VA--April 1997

United States Marine Corp., serving in the Orient as a member of the U.S.M.C. Criminal Investigation Section of the Office of Naval Intelligence assigned to black marketeering. Honorably discharged with commendation.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
National Association of Legal Investigators--National Director 2003-2004, Certified Legal Investigator
California Association of Licensed Investigators (1991-2002) - Legislative Committee Member (1999-2001)
Council of International Investigators-- Western Regional U.S. Director Board of Directors (1993-July 1998
Computer Assisted Investigation and Reporting (CAR)
California Spinal Cord Injury Network--President, Board of Directors (1989-1992) Chairman, Fund Raising Committee (1989-1992)
Global Investigative Network
Investigative Reporters and Editors-Columbus, Missouri (IRE)
International Spinal Cord Injury Network--Board of Directors (1989-1992)
National Council of Investigative and Security Services (NCISS) legislative Committee Member
Project Support Spinal Cord Injury-- Advisory Board of Directors Member of Executive Committee (1992-1994)
Nominee California Association of Licensed Investigator - Investigator of the Year 2003

Affiliate Memberships:
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
Environmental Law Institute
National Association of Insurance Regulators
The Poynter Institute
Member-National Council of Investigative and Security Services (NCISS)
Member-International Association of Investigative and Security Regulators (IASIR)
Participant-Legislative Committee (1999-New Orleans, La)
Participant-Sub Committee
Model Professional Investigators Acts (s) basic and Comprehensive-Chair sub committee to the Legislative Committee of the International Association of Investigative and Security Regulators (IASIR) submitted for peer review in final draft form, Augusta Ga 2002
California First Amendment association (CFAC)
Environmental Law Institute (ELI)
1999 Super Conference-New Orleans Louisiana 6/1/-7/99
National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
International Association of Investigative and Security Regulators (IASIR)
Louisiana Private Investigators Association (LAPIA)
National Investigative and Security Services (NCISS)
Mississippi Professional Investigators Association (MPIA)
Tennessee Association of Investigators (TAI)
IASIR National Spring Conference 5/31-6/4/99
IASIR Educational Winter Meeting 1999
IASIR Educational Spring Meeting 2000
IASIR Educational Winter Meeting 2000
IASIR Educational Spring Meeting 2001
IASIR Educational Winter Meeting 2001
IASIR Educational Spring Meeting 2002
IASIR Educational Winter Meeting 2002
IASIR Legislative Committee Chair-Proposed National Model Licensing Act-Investigators (2002-2003)
NALI Annual General Meeting 6/4-7/99
NALI Educational Winter Meeting 1999
NALI Educational Spring Meeting 2000
NALI Educational Winter Meeting 2000
NALI Educational Spring Meeting 2001
NALI Educational Winter Meeting 2001
NALI Educational Spring Meeting 2002
NALI Educational Winter Meeting 2002
NALI Mid Winter (2003)
NALI Annual (2003)
NALI-National Director- 2003-current
Michigan Council of Private Investigators (2003)
Appointed NALI National Legislative Committee Legislative Awareness Chair (1998-2003)
NALI-Certified legal Investigator Credentials Awarded following multi level exam (CLI)
CLE-Accident Reconstruction-NALI 1999
CLE-Paul Ciolino,CLI-Defending Capital Cases
CLE-Lawrence W. Daley-Sexual Assault/Abuse Investigations
CLE-Martin Levin, Esq., Carol Moore CLI, and Steve Lockman,CLI
"Techniques of Accident Reconstruction
CLE-Ollie Gray " Litigation Support Technology-Trial Evidence Presentation"
CLE-California Emerging Toxic Torts Marina Del Rey California 6/14-15/99
CLE-Environmental Assessment Association (EAA) 5/8-11/99
National Conference 1999-Las Vegas Nevada
Creative Factual Writing-"Heres my story" Poynter Institute/Orange County Register Irvine California 5/17-8/99
Paralegal Discovery Skills-Professional Education Systems Los Angeles, Ca (PESI) 5/21-23-99
Oregon Association of Licensed Investigators (OALI) 6/11-12/99
Guest Lecturer-Complex Civil Litigation-"The Information before the Litigation"
Guest Speaker - Washington Association of Licensed Investigators (WALI) 2001
Guest Speaker-World Association of Legal Investigators-London England (September 2003)
Scheduled Guest Speaker - Oregon association of Licensed Investigators (OALI)
Guest Speaker - Legislation - Arizona Association of Licensed Investigators (AALPI)
Testified before Legislative Committee in favor of Licensing - State of Colorado 2001
Organized first joint meeting between Privacy Advocates, the National Investigative Association Representatives and The Federal Trade Commission - Washington DC Winter 2000
Keynote Luncheon Speaker-National/State Privacy Issues-"Government
Mandated Invitations to Injure, Steal, Swindle and Conceal"
California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) Annual General
Conference-Reno Nevada 6/16-20/99
American Liability Institute (ALI)
Conference-CLE "Environmental Torts" 6/21-26/99.
Autotrak/Choicepoint invited panelist re privacy and State of US legislation, Northeast Super Conference October 2003)

ARTICLES PUBLISHED:
Please see our Articles page for a complete list of Mr. Townsend's published articles in PDF format.

PUBLICATIONS:
The Advocate
Insurance Adjuster Magazine
The Daily Journal-Los Angeles, California
California Association of Licensed Investigators
World Association of Investigators
The National Association of Investigators
Council of International Investigators